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Padres host Reds, Yankees and Orioles July 29-August 7

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The Padres return home Monday for the first homestand following the MLB All-Star Break, featuring three games against the Cincinnati Reds, followed by the New York Yankees' first-ever visit to Petco Park, and two games against the Baltimore Orioles. Highlights of the homestand include salutes to the military and to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department presented by COX Communications.

Home action begins tonight, with a 7:10 p.m. start against the Reds. Tennis star Daniela Hantuchová, who is competing in this week's Southern California Open at La Costa, will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch.

Prior to tonight's game, the Padres will honor the Padres Foundation's featured homestand charity partner, Family Health Centers of San Diego. As part of the pregame ceremony, the Padres will highlight the organization's mission to provide caring, affordable, high quality healthcare and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low income and medically underserved patients.

On Tuesday, the Padres will salute the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in the fourth First Responders Recognition Night of the season. Approximately 100 representatives from Sheriff's SWAT, Canine, Bomb/Arson and ASTREA departments will take part in the pregame ceremony, which will honor the four local deputies that were injured in the line of duty over the past year. San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch, the San Diego County Law Enforcement Choir will perform the National Anthem, and there will be a flyover by Sheriff's helicopters. In addition, the Padres Foundation, in partnership with COX Communications, will present a $10,000 donation to an organization whose express purpose is to positively impact the law enforcement community.

Tuesday also marks the second Taco Tuesday of the summer, featuring $1 pollo asado street tacos sold at 10 locations around the ballpark, including all levels and Park at the Park. There is a 10 taco per person maximum. Park Passes for Taco Tuesdays are priced at $5.

Wednesday's National Anthem will be performed by members of the cast of Sister Act, playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre from July 30-August 4.

Friday marks the New York Yankees' first-ever visit to Petco Park. With three expected sellout crowds heading to the ballpark this weekend, fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early to Petco Park. To avoid additional traffic delays, fans should utilize public transportation or pre-purchase parking passes online at www.padres.com. Padres parking lots are expected to fill two hours prior to first pitch, so fans are encouraged to park along Harbor Drive at Convention Center garages and utilize the pedestrian bridge. Suggested routes and maps can be found at www.padres.com/transportation. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will offer additional "Special Event" trolley service from Qualcomm Stadium (with 5,000 free parking spots) and Mission Valley stations to the ballpark area. The North County Transit District (NCTD) offers special Padres Coaster trains that depart from Oceanside Station and include free trolley connections. For more information, visit the Access Guide page at www.padres.com/transportation.

Please note: ballpark gates will open 30 minutes early for all three games in the Yankees series.

Prior to Friday's game, the Padres will salute retiring Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in a special pregame ceremony, when Padres All-Time Saves Leader Trevor Hoffman will present Rivera with a retirement gift from the club. In addition, Dave Winfield and Graig Nettles, who each played for both the Padres and the Yankees in their Major League careers, will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch. Recording artist Frankie J will perform the National Anthem.

Beginning Friday, the Padres Foundation and Padres players' wives will join forces for a Mystery Bag Fundraiser, to benefit Monarch School, Rady Children's Hospital and the Padres Foundation. Players' wives and volunteers will be selling mystery bags for $40 each, from the time gates open through the third inning. Each bag will contain a baseball autographed by either a current Padres player, a former Padres player or another MLB player, including Buster Posey, Bryce Harper, RA Dickey, Stephen Strasburg, Yasiel Puig and more. Fans will select a sealed bag, and once they purchase it, will be able to open it to find out which player signed the enclosed baseball. Once a bag is opened, it cannot be exchanged for another bag. Tables will be set up inside the Home Plate and Gaslamp gates, as well as at Guest Services on Park Blvd. The fundraiser will extend through the weekend, while supplies last. Cash, credit cards and checks (payable to the Padres Foundation) will be accepted.

Also Friday, Padres third baseman Chase Headley will host a private meet-and-greet for his community program, Headley's Heroes. This homestand's Hero is 15-year-old Jake Pocius, who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (a form of bone cancer) in December 2009. Three months later, as part of his treatment plan, his right leg was amputated at the knee. Jake underwent 10 months of chemotherapy at Rady Children's Hospital and learned how to use his prosthetic leg for day-to-day activities. He is now in the process of re-learning some of his previous favorite activities, including running, surfing and skateboarding, and he hopes to try snowboarding this winter. Jake and his family will receive a full game-day experience, including a batting practice visit, field level tickets, a meet and greet with Headley in the Padres dugout, photo opportunities with various Padres players, a special in-game message, Headley's Heroes merchandise, a framed certificate, transportation to and from stadium, food vouchers and much more.

On Saturday, San Antonio Spurs player & SDSU Alum Kawhi Leonard will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch.

The series finale against the Yankees Sunday will feature a special pre-game salute to all branches of the military. More than 100 representatives from the United States Marine Corps, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard will take part in the salute. Military child Jazmine Rogers will perform the National Anthem with her father by her side, while Lt. Gen John Toolan, Commanding General I Marine Expeditionary Force, will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch. Military child Olivia Jean Leigh Jensen will perform God Bless America with her father by her side during the 7th inning break.

KidsFest at the Park returns Sunday, featuring bounce houses and other inflatables, games, face painters, balloon artists, and more kid-friendly activities. Visit www.padres.com/sunday for more information.

Prior to all Sunday home games, fans with tickets are invited to enjoy Breakfast at the Park. Special breakfast menu items will be offered for purchase at Park at the Park. In addition to seating at the Park at the Park, tables may be set up on the warning track, allowing fans to dine on the Petco Park field. Field seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, barring batting practice. Select gates will open to Season Ticket Holders with reservations at 10:00 a.m. Gates will open to the general public at 10:30 a.m.

From 11:30 a.m. to noon, two Padres players will sign autographs at the Park at the Park for Jr. Padres Sunday Signings. A Jr. Padres membership is required to participate in the signing event. Membership is free, and kids can sign up online or in-person on the day of the event.

On Tuesday, the Padres welcome the Baltimore Orioles to town for a two-game set. Taco Tuesday will once again feature $1 pollo asado tacos sold throughout the ballpark and $5 Park Passes. The Padres will host 750 guests from the San Diego Hall of Champions Jr. RBI program at Tuesday's game. Prior to the game, 24 outstanding Jr. RBI participants and their coaches will be honored on the field for the leadership and sportsmanship they demonstrated throughout the eight-week program.

The homestand wraps up Wednesday with a 12:40 p.m. start against the Orioles. Wednesday marks Purple Heart Appreciation Day, celebrating the 231st Anniversary of the Badge of Military Merit, the inspiration for the modern Purple Heart. The Padres will honor and thank local Purple Heart recipients for their courage and sacrifice in a special pregame ceremony. Also Wednesday, the Padres will hold a special edition of FriarFit Instant Recess at Park at the Park prior to the game.

Tickets for all home games can be purchased at the Petco Park box office, online at www.padres.com, by phone at 619.795.5555, at the Padres Store in Tijuana, and new this year, at all Ticketmaster locations. The Padres are proud to offer first responders and military personnel $6 off any ticket priced $14 or higher for all regular season home games. Thanks to our partnership with GovX, discounted tickets are now available for purchase online at www.padres.com/military and www.padres.com/firstresponder, pending verification by GovX.